Iran digs in its heels over nuclear development

IRAN'S hard-line Guardian Council yesterday approved a law forcing the country to develop nuclear technology, including uranium enrichment - an action aimed at strengthening Tehran's hand in negotiations with Europe.

The law's passing does not compel the government to resume uranium enrichment immediately, but it insists Tehran pursues its nuclear goals despite international pressure against development.

"Approval of the parliamentary legislation into law means Europeans should forget the idea of asking Iran to permanently freeze its nuclear activities forever," conservative lawmaker Nayereh Akhavan said.

Now Iranian negotiators were required by law to persist in uranium enrichment and defend the development of nuclear fuel production facilities, Akhavan said.

The new law calls on the government to develop a nuclear fuel cycle, which would include resuming the process of enriching uranium - a prospect that has drawn criticism from the US and Europe because it could be used in developing atomic weapons.

Iran suspended enrichment of uranium last November under international pressure led by America, which accuses Tehran of trying to make nuclear weapons.

Iran, which maintains its programme is peaceful and is aimed only at generating electricity, has long maintained that its decision in November to suspend all uranium enrichment-related activities was voluntary and temporary.

Europe had been offering economic incentives in the hope of converting the temporary suspension into a permanent disbandment.

Iranian officials have suggested accepting a permanent freeze of nuclear activities would bring down the government because the programme is a matter of national pride. The legislation was viewed as strengthening the government's hand in negotiations with EU representatives, allowing it to demonstrate domestic pressure to pursue its nuclear programme since talks were deadlocked.

France, Britain and Germany, acting on behalf of the 25-nation EU, want Tehran to abandon its enrichment activities in exchange for economic aid, technical support and backing for Iran's efforts to join the World Trade Organisation - or guarantees from Iran that it will not use its nuclear programme to make weapons, as Washington suspects.